Carl F. Macek passed away on Saturday, April 17, 2010 of a heart attack.

Carl Macek (1951-2010)
Robotech's original producer Carl Macek passes away on Saturday, April 17th.
Author: Tommy Yune
   
       
                       
   

Carl Macek with his wife Svea at a gathering in Beverly Hills. Carl is holding a birthday card containing well wishes from his fans on Robotech.com.



From his early days at California State University Fullerton, where he served as a librarian of popular culture, Carl was set on a course to make his mark on the anime industry in the United States. Fans know him as the producer who originally weaved together the Robotech saga out of separate anime series when faced with broadcast syndication hurdles in 1985. The result was a science fiction phenomenon that launched popular lines of novels, comics, videos, toys, and other memorabilia that continue to be coveted collectibles to this day. Sure, Robotech had its ups and downs over the years, but Carl relished its longevity and resurgence.

Carl later went on to found Streamline Pictures, which was known for releasing major anime titles such as Akira and Vampire Hunter D. He was also directly involved in the first English adaptations of many of Hayao Miyazake's classics such as Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro, My Neighbor Totoro. Recently, Carl had worked on the adaptation of many of the episodes of the hit anime series Bleach. Outside of anime, Carl had also written many books, from The Art of Heavy Metal to the novel War Eagles, an epic adventure which he also adapted into a screenplay for a film in development.

Carl was delighted to get involved again in the Robotech universe for its 25th anniversary, not to mention the widespread anticipation over a live action movie on the horizon.

Carl Macek spent the past Saturday, April 17th as he often did, enjoying life to its fullest at a concert with his beloved wife Svea. Then a massive heart attack took him away from all of us. It was a bitter pill to swallow. This did not seem fair. He was still so full of creative energy. However, with the amazing legacy of his work, Carl has left us much to remember him by, and in this way, he has truly become immortal.